Rikki-Tikki-Tavi Learning Objectives: What should students know and be able to do as a result of this lesson?
Students will analyze how conflict unfolds in the story.
During the reading of "Rikki-Tikki-Tavi," students will cite specific textual evidence to support their analysis of the story. Students will also make inferences about the story and use textual evidence to support their inferences.
Students will be able to determine a theme or central idea of the short story "Rikki-Tikki-Tavi." They will be able to analyze its development over the course of the story and provide an objective summary.
Students will be able to use a graphic organizer to make and confirm logical predictions and preview vocabulary. Students will use context clues and dictionaries as resources to determine the meaning of unfamiliar words.
Guiding Questions: What are the guiding questions for this lesson?
What conflict is revealed in the beginning of the story?
How do the animals in the story resemble humans?
What is the theme or central message of the story?
What is the relationship between Rikki and Teddy and how does their relationship develop?
Explain the battle between good and evil in the story.
Give a similar example of the battle between good and evil in real life.
Describe the character Darzee in the story. What important part does Darzee play in the story's conclusion?
Discussion Questions/Topics:
Discussion of Nag, Nagaina, and Rikki- character traits
Who exhibited bullying behaviors?
What were the behaviors?
Did the "good guy" win?
What can this story teach you about dealing with bullies?
How can you apply what you learned about conflict to a real-life conflict you may face?
What type of internal conflicts may have been going on in the characters' heads. For example, Rikki had to have been scared at some point. Do you think he could have struggled internally with what to do? Maybe there was a small part of him that wanted to run away from Nag and Nagaina, instead of staying and fighting.
Examples of Conflict:
At the very beginning when Rikki's burrow floods and he is washed out of his home. (Character vs. Nature)
The great fight between Nag and Rikki, which ended in Nag's death.
The fight between Nagaina and Rikki at the end of the story.
Elements of a Short Story: Characters:
Rikki Tikki Tavi: The main character (also known as the protagonist) Rikki is a small but brave mongoose who defends his home and friends against their enemies.
Nag: Rikki’s enemy. Nag is one of the cobras Rikki must fight to keep the garden safe.
Nagaina: Rikki’s enemy. Nagaina is another cobra that Rikki must fight to keep the garden safe.
Teddy: The young boy in the story. Rikki saves his life.
Darzee: One of Rikki’s friends. Darzee is a tailorbird.He helps Rikki during the story.
Chuchundra: Another one of Rikki’s friends. He is a muskrat that helped Rikki by giving him advice during the ongoing battles with Nag and Nagaina.
Karait: A small snake that Rikki kills while defending Teddy.
Setting:
Rikki Tikki Tavi takes place in a bungalow’s garden in Colonial India.
Theme:
One theme from Rikki Tikki Tavi would be courage. Rikki has to fight two cobras, Nag and Nagaina, to protect his garden and Teddy. He is frightened of them because they are stronger and bigger than he is, but he overcomes his fear and fights them anyway. His courageous behavior is rewarded when he fights the cobras, wins, and becomes a hero.
Point of View:
Rikki Tikki Tavi is told in third person. A narrator is telling the reader what is happening in the story.
Learning Objectives: What should students know and be able to do as a result of this lesson?
Guiding Questions: What are the guiding questions for this lesson?
Discussion Questions/Topics:
Rikki-Tikki-Tavi Full Text
Rikki Tikki Tave audio version
Activation of Prior Knowledge
As you read the short story, notice the conflict between the cobra and the mongoose, two natural enemies.
Teacher Materials Needed (See shared drive)
The text version of the non-fiction articles can be accessed from the following links:http://www.encyclopedia.com/topic/mongoose.aspx
http://www.encyclopedia.com/topic/cobra.aspx
"Rikki-Tikki-Tavi" Pre-Assessment
"Rikki-Tikki-Tavi" Formative Vocabulary Assessment
"Rikki-Tikki-Tavi" Handout
"Rikki-Tikki-Tavi" Summative Assessment
Full video
Examples of Conflict:
At the very beginning when Rikki's burrow floods and he is washed out of his home. (Character vs. Nature)
The great fight between Nag and Rikki, which ended in Nag's death.
The fight between Nagaina and Rikki at the end of the story.
Elements of a Short Story:
Characters:
Rikki Tikki Tavi: The main character (also known as the protagonist) Rikki is a small but brave mongoose who defends his home and friends against their enemies.
Nag: Rikki’s enemy. Nag is one of the cobras Rikki must fight to keep the garden safe.
Nagaina: Rikki’s enemy. Nagaina is another cobra that Rikki must fight to keep the garden safe.
Teddy: The young boy in the story. Rikki saves his life.
Darzee: One of Rikki’s friends. Darzee is a tailorbird.He helps Rikki during the story.
Chuchundra: Another one of Rikki’s friends. He is a muskrat that helped Rikki by giving him advice during the ongoing battles with Nag and Nagaina.
Karait: A small snake that Rikki kills while defending Teddy.
Setting:
Rikki Tikki Tavi takes place in a bungalow’s garden in Colonial India.
Theme:
One theme from Rikki Tikki Tavi would be courage. Rikki has to fight two cobras, Nag and Nagaina, to protect his garden and Teddy. He is frightened of them because they are stronger and bigger than he is, but he overcomes his fear and fights them anyway. His courageous behavior is rewarded when he fights the cobras, wins, and becomes a hero.
Point of View:
Rikki Tikki Tavi is told in third person. A narrator is telling the reader what is happening in the story.